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The president's speech centered on his eight-year legacy as
the chief executive of the United States. He began his
address by thanking the citizens of the United States for
allowing him and his wife Michelle serve as the nation’s
First Family. He talked about how he and Michelle have been
role models for black boys and girls.
He then spoke about the 15 million new jobs that have been
created during those eight years and how dramatically the
unemployment rate has been lowered.
Both high school and college graduation rates have increased
during his administration. The average family income has
grown by $2,800 and millions of people now have health care
who did not have it before Obamacare.
During these past eight years, the black prison population
has decreased, college students have received more
assistance with their student loans, sentencing laws have
been made more equitable for black folks and crime has
decreased in general.
The stock market is healthy again. The big three auto
industry, where thousands of black and Hispanic employees
work, has been saved. The gross national product has
increased. Troops have been brought home from the wars and
U.S. banks have been saved.
His administration is also working to decrease college
female rapes and K to 12 bullying.
He discussed what has been done for the gay community, how
the wages of female employees have risen so that they are
fairer and about his administration’s concerns about family
leave.
The president then spoke about how the Republicans are
trying to reduce the black vote this November with the new
voter ID laws, the purging of voters and other requirements
that have been implemented. He said "a person can get a
permit to buy a gun in some states easier than getting a
permit to vote.” He added that if black people don't vote
then this is an insult to his legacy
President Obama then discussed the history of the Civil
Rights Movement starting with the Underground Railroad, the
civil rights marches, the speeches by Dr Martin Luther King
and others, then the voting rights act, a black First Family
in the White House and, now, the new African American Museum
in Washington DC. He described these occurrences as being
links in a chain and indicated that we should not break the
links by failing to vote this November.
The Honorable Marcia Fudge from Cleveland received the
Barbara Jordan award for her work in Education.
Secretary Hillary Clinton received the Trailblazer Award for
being the first woman to be nominated by a major political
party. She also gave a major political speech at the dinner.
There were also major social events sponsored by Alpha Phi
Alpha, the Links, Boule, Michigan Caucus as well as other
states’ caucuses, Trusted Health Care, and some of the
various congressional and senate staffers. There were also
seminars, luncheons and breakfasts, and panel discussions on
all the social issues.
It was also very refreshing to see thousands of
African-American youth and young adults participating in the
week of activities.
Ed. Note: Paul L. Hubbard
is the former president of New Detroit, the former director
of the City of Toledo Department of Neighborhoods and the
former chairman of the Greater Toledo Urban League.
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